Cochlear Implant Program

A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can be implanted to gain a sense of sound. It has two main parts: an external portion sits behind the ear, and a small device is surgically placed under the skin just above the ear. The internal device includes thin electrode wires that are threaded into the inner ear to the cochlea, where they stimulate the nerves that perceive sound.

A cochlear implant is different from a hearing aid. A hearing aid makes sounds louder and usually is beneficial for a person who has some hearing abilities. A cochlear implant can help a person with very little or no hearing. The implant doesn’t restore or cure hearing. Instead, it allows a person to perceive the sensation of sound. When coupled with therapy, cochlear implants can help young children acquire speech, language and social skills.

Most children receive implants in their first few years of life. Children as young as one year are candidates for implant surgery. The earlier they’re implanted, the greater the opportunity for exposure to sounds that can be crucial as children learn to talk. Older kids, and even adults, may also receive cochlear implants.

Patients may be asked to try hearing aids for at least three months before consideration for a cochlear implant.

Most children who meet our implantation criteria will benefit greatly from their device. At first, the sounds they perceive will have a mechanical quality. With intensive post-operative training and therapy, many children are then able to develop speech and hearing that is at near normal levels. As with any surgery however, individual results will vary.

Implantation requires a procedure under general anesthesia, which carries some risk. There is a slight risk after the procedure for dizziness, infection, ringing in the ear and rejection of the implant. Other possible side effects could include temporary or permanent nerve damage to facial muscles or the tongue’s taste sensation, though this is rare. For most children, the odds of complications are extremely low. Your child’s doctor can explain the risks, and how likely they are to be outweighed by the benefits of implantation.

About one month after the surgery, the external parts of the cochlear implant will be activated at Providence Speech and Hearing Center. These include a microphone and speech processor. This is when the implant is programmed and turned on. The external parts work with the internal part of the implant. You will also learn the basics of using and caring for the implant. You may need to return for several visits over a few days for initial adjustments. Further fine-tuning may take place over several months. This process is called “mapping” and helps customize the implant to a child’s specific hearing needs.

Learning to use a cochlear implant is a gradual process. It will likely require visits with speech-language pathologists, audiologists, counselors and teachers. But with commitment, a child can experience an improved quality of life with a cochlear.